What is the best way to birth a baby?

Question

I am about to have my first baby and I am very nervous about how I am going to do it. I am really nervous about having some doctor putting his hands all over me and really just about anyone other than me and my husband even looking at me. I was thinking about just doing it at home with a mid-wife but my husband and his brothers all had problems at birth and would have died if they hadnt been at the hospital, so I need to be at one. Could I go to a hospital, but have a mid-wife birth the baby instead of a doctor? Also, what about water-births?

Answer 1

If your pregnancy has been pretty much smooth sailing so far, you just might be in luck. You can look into nearby hospitals about their birthing room options. Some have the option of allowing you to deliver in a more natural-type room, meaning, there is no hospital equipment in the room. You can definitely have a mid-wife during your delivery if it makes you more comfortable.

You would be on the same floor as the Labor & Delivery, but it's a private home like setting.There's usually a king size bed, rocking chair, cradle for the baby, and you have the option of having a water birth in that same room if you choose. You get to stay in that room until you go home. The benefits of this is that if something were to go wrong during your delivery, which I hope doesn't happen, there are doctors available to help. As long as nothing goes wrong or there's nothing to worry about, the mid-wife would take care of everything.

You might even want to look into having a doula with you as well. It would benefit both you and your husband especially since it's your first baby. Doulas are great to have around to keep stress down and to help you and your husband relax. Doulas aren't there for anything medical, just support for the both of you.

Ask about it at your next appointment. Hopefully, you can have the kind of birth you want to have. Good Luck and Congratulations!!!

Answer 2

It all depends on the hospital you are planning to deliver at, and (sorry, I hate the thought myself, but it needs mentioning!) of whether all goes well or not. I don't personally see a doctor at all for my prenatal care, but midwives; they will deliver my daughter in July, if all goes well! But, if there are any complications, then the midwife will have to step back, and one of the doctors will be delivering. A c-section requires a doctor, for instance; a midwife can't preform one

If it's simply a matter of "I don't like a guy taking care of me like that" (I have the same issue, lol!), you can always see or request a female doctor. If you haven't been seeing a midwife or a female throughout your pregnancy, or have been seeing a practice that includes both, you may end up with "the luck of the draw," however (that happened with my oldest daughter! And I hadn't cared for the doctor who delivered when I'd seen him in the office, either . . . )

A lot of everything depends on how far you already are, and who's been handling your prenatal care so far. If you're in your first trimester, or haven't established a relationship with anyone yet, you have a lot more options. It's not easy to switch up in your third trimester, though (speaking from experience!)

As far as water births, my sister had one (at the hospital), and it went great. She was induced (which can cause extra pain . . . again, not trying to scare, but speaking from experience . . . ), but she had a natural birth, without so much as a Tylenol for pain! My niece was born perfectly healthy, and my sister was much more comfortable and happy than she might otherwise have been! A lot of hospitals aren't equipped for them, though, so check around, and make sure that, if you decide that's the way to go, the doctor or midwife you choose will go to that hospital or birth center.

Good luck to you!

Answer 3

You most definitly can have a midwife at your birth. And no one can touch you unless you ok it. Remember that. That being said, I think you should go for the homebirth!! You and your baby are actually SAFER at home than in a hospital. And if you don't want any unnecessary things done, make sure they don't put you on an IV, or hook you up to the fetal moniter, or make you lie in bed, or put you on a time limit. E-mail me if you want some more info! I have tons!
Also, I had a water labor with my baby girl. I LOVED it. It really helped with helping me relax, which of course nearly eliminated the pain.
I would say the best way to give birth is vaginally, with no interference, no inductions, no nothing pain-meds. These things all replace confidence and SUPPORT. Be an empowered woman, and listen to your body!!

Answer 4

Well i had a midwife handle my labor and i can say she was awesome!! I was also trying to deal with the idea of possibly having a doctor handling my labor, it was kind of freaking me out. But I ended up having a midwife do it, it was a nice experience because i felt comfortable and she was not doing a whole bunch of touching. Don't also listen to what everyone says about getting an epidural!! Let it be your choice, if you feel you can handle the pain (and if you also want to be able to walk around or pee until minutes before your labor i would advise you not to get it) then don't get the epidural. If you don't have a high tolerance for pain then ask for the epidural, unless you have no choice either way becuase you have to have a C-section. But when it comes down to the final moments it will be up to you, not anyone else!

Answer 5

You might want to check around to see if there is a nurse-midwife attached with a obstetrician group or for a female obstetrician to deliver the baby. It might make you feel more comfortable during check-ups, too. Usually, other than your initial visit, they don't do any internal checks until you are really far along. To be honest, though, once you are in labor your sense of modesty tends to fly out the window.

If you don't want an epidural (the idea of a big needle being stuck in my spine and a catheter never appealed to me), a midwife is your best bet. She will stay with you the whole labor and delivery (unlike a doctor or nurse), will know tricks to help ease pain, and will not be quick to push unnecessary interventions. If your hospital will not allow a nurse-midwife to deliver, you might consider finding a doula to stay with you and assist you in labor while the obstetrician "catches the baby" as they say.

Water-births are usually only feasible in home births or birthing centers.

Answer 6

you can have a midwife for your hospital birth! i have had a midwife for both my kids, and plan on one for my third due in dec as well. youll need to find a practice that has midwives, and that also participates at the hospital your planning on. how far along are you? if youre literally "about to have your baby" you may not have a choice now; the ob practice youve been going to will not be easy to switch from late in your pregnancy; many practices may not take you in at the end of a pregnancy except under extreme circumstances. i had a hard time with my first pregnancy, my doctor switched hospitals (moved about 40 minutes away) and i had a hard time switching when i was about 5 weeks from my due date; but i did it. i dont know too much info on water births, but i do know many hospitals offer the equipment and support to have them! look into your local hospital and you can get more detailed info on how they work, what exactly they are, and if its a possibility for you! congrats on your baby and good luck in finding the perfect birthing experience for you and your hubby!!

Answer 7

I had a midwife birth my baby at a hospital. You have the personal attention but at the same time you are in a safe environment in case you need some emergency assistance. First find a midwife you feel comfortable with and tell her that you prefer to be in a hospital. Good Luck.

Answer 8

Once your labor begins all those modest feelings will go right out the window. I was very shy and When the pain set in i was ready for anyone to help me. Its such a beautiful experience people don't think about what you look like down there or how they are touching you. Just relax and whatever you decide you will be happy because your first baby is a beautiful thing.

Answer 9

read "the truth about birth" at www.unassistedchildbirth.com

ask your midwive is she can deliver at a hospital- each state has different rules.

also consider that your MIL might be exaggerating to say each of her kids required medical care, some people are dramatic that way. learn the specifics of the conditions and evaluate based upon facts. If they truly needed medical care, is it a hereditary thing? Was it something that could have been predicted, was it a situation that was created by medical interventions?

research research and don't believe anything someone tells you based on fear. good luck, congratulations and have fun!

Answer 10

Well for my money...

Go to the hospital...

Get the epidural...

And as for people "looking" at you, by the time you're there, you're not going to care one bit. They are very respectful of your privacy, and not once will you feel embarrassed or violated. They are very professional. Just remember that you and the baby are their main concern.

Even if you have a mid-wife, you're going to have the same number of people conducting "exams" because the nurses will check you to see how your cervix is progressing. If it's the "male doctor" aspect that makes you nervous, there are plenty of female OBGYNs.